The Official Western Conference Playoff Race Thread

[Drac 0]

Yeah it is always boring when a 7 seed SWEEPS the 2nd seed Detroit Red Wings, including a win in game with 5 overtimes. The Wild series may have been boring depending on what kind of hockey you like, but Giguere's performance was RIDICULOUS, as Thriceknurd pointed out, and this was maybe one of the only instances where a goalie can make the game exciting all by himself. Anyways, that was then, this is now, and we are a completely different team with a lot of young playmakers as well as veteran leaders. Unfortunately Colorado and San Jose both dodged bullets tonight and won by slim margins, and either the Canucks or Kings will be gaining two points as well. Its alright we'll beat LA tomorrow night and regain 5th outright.

I'm sure you were excited to see your team win. I'm referring only to the Wild/Ducks series as the most boring hockey ever. That series was terrible. Giguere was awesome. Watching the Wings go down is always fun.

I guess this should go without saying...It was fun for all of us Ducks fans. I'm being a little biased you should know, but, so are you? Are you a WILD's fan?J.S. will take us far again this year in the playoffs. I cannot wait.

I'm not really a Wild fan. Did I want them to win the WCF? Sure. Did I want them to beat Colorado in round one? No. My bias is against boring, defensive hockey. That's why it's so hard for me to root for the U of Wisconsin.In general I'm not a big fan of the style of play Anaheim used that year but that series in particular was just unreal in terms of how little effort Anaheim put into anything other than defense. The series vs. Detroit was nothing like how they played vs. Minnesota.

[dEv~ 19]

Go Penguins!!!!

ya they have just as much chance at making the playoffs in the Western Conference as they do in the Eastern Conference.

[Thriceknurd 0]

lol @ the Penguins. They are in shambles....

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

I was going to chime in on the 2003 playoffs, but thinking of the Wild - Canucks series just made me throw up.I think Anaheim, Colorado and Calgary have all but clinched. It is still a 4 team race for 2 spots, with the Canucks and Kings in the worst shape, IMO.

[Zach6668 513]

lol @ the Penguins. They are in shambles....

How are they in shambles?They are in a rebuilding phase. It happens to every pro sports team. They have a TON of incredible young talent developping, or on the way.The only issue with them is their new arena.- Zach

[digitalmonkey 929]

Crosby, Malkin, Whitney, Fleury and perhaps Johnson or Kessel at this upcoming draft; shambles must be a nice place.

[dEv~ 19]

lol @ the Penguins. They are in shambles....

ya tons of young talent that's going to bloom in the next couple years. Sucks to be a penguins fan.Also an update on the new arena plan. Deals have been announced making it seem like no matter what happens with the slots license the money will be there for a new multipurpose facility for the city. Of course this could fall through but KC might as well start looking for another team to court.

[Zach6668 513]

ya tons of young talent that's going to bloom in the next couple years. Sucks to be a penguins fan.Also an update on the new arena plan. Deals have been announced making it seem like no matter what happens with the slots license the money will be there for a new multipurpose facility for the city. Of course this could fall through but KC might as well start looking for another team to court.

****ing right!

[Nate The Great 0]

GOODNIGHT KINGS!!!!! It feels good to not only (all but) eliminate your cross town rivals from play-off contention, but to humiliate them while you do it, breaking open a tie game to score 4 goals in the 3rd period and win 6-2. The Kings aren't completely screwed, but with the Sharks having 3 games in hand against them and the same # of points, this is what will most likely happen. Either Edmonton or Vancouver, and most likely Vancouver, will succumb to the Sharks over the next few games, and the Sharks will take over either 7th or 8th seed, with either Edmonton or Vancouver in the other final playoff spot. There just isn't any room for the Kings unless they literally win every game from here on out, end of story. As for the RED HOT DUCKS, they are probably going to end up playing the Predators in the first round of the playoffs, and frankly, that is a better match up for them than the Flames anyways, because we can neutralize the Preds speed AND beat them physically. Unfortunately that means a second round match up against Detroit, which will be tough, but we all know what happened the last time the Ducks and the Red Wings met in the playoffs. BREAK OUT THE BROOMS BABY!!!!!!! As far as predictions go, I predict the Ducks over Nashville 4-2. then they beat Detroit 4-1, then Dallas 4-3, then they beat Ottawa in the Finals 4-3 with a vindication win in game 7. That is the most likely scenario as I see it in the playoffs this year. If anyone wants to enter into a small wagering situation as we near the playoffs let me know.

[Belanger25 3]

GOODNIGHT KINGS!!!!! It feels good to not only (all but) eliminate your cross town rivals from play-off contention, but to humiliate them while you do it, breaking open a tie game to score 4 goals in the 3rd period and win 6-2. The Kings aren't completely screwed, but with the Sharks having 3 games in hand against them and the same # of points, this is what will most likely happen. Either Edmonton or Vancouver, and most likely Vancouver, will succumb to the Sharks over the next few games, and the Sharks will take over either 7th or 8th seed, with either Edmonton or Vancouver in the other final playoff spot. There just isn't any room for the Kings unless they literally win every game from here on out, end of story. As for the RED HOT DUCKS, they are probably going to end up playing the Predators in the first round of the playoffs, and frankly, that is a better match up for them than the Flames anyways, because we can neutralize the Preds speed AND beat them physically. Unfortunately that means a second round match up against Detroit, which will be tough, but we all know what happened the last time the Ducks and the Red Wings met in the playoffs. BREAK OUT THE BROOMS BABY!!!!!!! As far as predictions go, I predict the Ducks over Nashville 4-2. then they beat Detroit 4-1, then Dallas 4-3, then they beat Ottawa in the Finals 4-3 with a vindication win in game 7. That is the most likely scenario as I see it in the playoffs this year. If anyone wants to enter into a small wagering situation as we near the playoffs let me know.

Don't catch your chickens before they hatch.Also Anaheim did not knock the Kings out of playoff contention. They knocked themselves out.

[dEv~ 19]

Don't catch your chickens before they hatch.

I think you butchered this, but I'll let it go thinking you did it on purpose.

[The Lorax 0]

i don't think theres a goaltender out there that is more hungry for the stanley cup than Giguere. Just wait until the playoffs. That's when stats go out the window and desire officiates wins.

[Belanger25 3]

I think you butchered this, but I'll let it go thinking you did it on purpose.

No I butchered it. Oh well. Meant to say Don't count your chickens before they hatch. I just got back from playing hockey so I'm a little tired.

[digitalmonkey 929]

i don't think theres a goaltender out there that is more hungry for the stanley cup than Giguere. Just wait until the playoffs. That's when stats go out the window and desire officiates wins.

Kiprusoff may be a little voracious.

[rinswun 6]

i don't think theres a goaltender out there that is more hungry for the stanley cup than Giguere. Just wait until the playoffs. That's when stats go out the window and desire officiates wins.

Martin Brodeur's Playoffs2002-03 New Jersey NHL 24 16 8 - 1491 41 622 7 1.64 .934JS Giguere's Playoffs2002-03 Anahiem NHL 21 15 6 - 1407 38 697 5 1.62 .945The only reason Giguere looked so spectacular during those 2003 playoffs was the fact the Ducks in front of him were truely terrible, and he seemingly came from nowhere. Brodeur's stats were very similar and yet he got little to no fanfare from the press as he performed like that year in year out and had a decent team, who could score, in front of him. Giguere standing on his head = everyday Brodeur.

[nell789 0]

Crosby, Malkin, Whitney, Fleury and perhaps Johnson or Kessel at this upcoming draft; shambles must be a nice place.

Malone, Armstrong and Ouellet (sp) aren't too shabby either.I would give my left nut if it meant the Leafs would be "in shambles"

[Nate The Great 0]

Brodeur is overrated.

[The Lorax 0]

Martin Brodeur's Playoffs2002-03 New Jersey NHL 24 16 8 - 1491 41 622 7 1.64 .934JS Giguere's Playoffs2002-03 Anahiem NHL 21 15 6 - 1407 38 697 5 1.62 .945The only reason Giguere looked so spectacular during those 2003 playoffs was the fact the Ducks in front of him were truely terrible, and he seemingly came from nowhere. Brodeur's stats were very similar and yet he got little to no fanfare from the press as he performed like that year in year out and had a decent team, who could score, in front of him. Giguere standing on his head = everyday Brodeur.

You sir, are an idiot. Maybe you failed to notice the playoff shutout he had going. And assuming the ducks played terrible, somehow, they still managed to get your beloved NJ Devils to game 7. Yes obviously any team that makes it to the stanley cup finals is terrible simply because a moron like you dislikes them (and by yes, I mean no).You're right, Brodeur is an incredible goalie, no doubt. However, my post simply stated that Giguere will be the most hungry in the playoff race. Next time you attempt to say something, why don't you try pulling your head out of your a*ss. That way, I won't have to read a bunch of sh*it

[rinswun 6]

You sir, are an idiot. Maybe you failed to notice the playoff shutout he had going. And assuming the ducks played terrible, somehow, they still managed to get your beloved NJ Devils to game 7. Yes obviously any team that makes it to the stanley cup finals is terrible simply because a moron like you dislikes them (and by yes, I mean no).You're right, Brodeur is an incredible goalie, no doubt. However, my post simply stated that Giguere will be the most hungry in the playoff race. Next time you attempt to say something, why don't you try pulling your head out of your a*ss. That way, I won't have to read a bunch of sh*it

yes he played well throughout the playoffs and yes his shutout streak against the anaemic wild was impressive. I wasnt really knocking Giguere, although his pads were insanely oversized, i was more knocking the lack of coverage that Brodeur got throughout the devils playoff run. He had 7 SO's, 3 alone in the finals (and a game that was tied at 0-0 going to OT). That is deserving of some recognition and i remember the ironic cheers and victory skate he did when Jiggy was presented with the Conn Smyth.Jiggy is a good goalie no doubt, but i have doubts in my mind that he'll ever be able to replicate a playoff run even close to that he produced in 2003. I'll leave it there.

[nell789 0]

Brodeur is overrated.

I concur

[runthemover 40]

i like how we can measure intagibles for goalies like being "the most hungry." it helps me figure out who i really want my team to have...i do think jiggy played a bigger part in getting his team to the finals than brodeur. he was standing on his head every game and he was just plain "hot" as they say. yes brodeur played awesome as well but the team in front was better than anaheim's. that being said you cant go wrong with either brodeur or giguere.now since this is the west playoff race thread...im thinking vancouver is gonna be the odd one out in the west (LA is already out IMO). anything can happen yes but i think the sharks will step it up and win back to back vs the canucks. im just glad it's gonna go down to the last week to find out.what order do you guys think it'll be?

[Drac 0]

GOODNIGHT KINGS!!!!! It feels good to not only (all but) eliminate your cross town rivals from play-off contention, but to humiliate them while you do it, breaking open a tie game to score 4 goals in the 3rd period and win 6-2. The Kings aren't completely screwed, but with the Sharks having 3 games in hand against them and the same # of points, this is what will most likely happen. Either Edmonton or Vancouver, and most likely Vancouver, will succumb to the Sharks over the next few games, and the Sharks will take over either 7th or 8th seed, with either Edmonton or Vancouver in the other final playoff spot. There just isn't any room for the Kings unless they literally win every game from here on out, end of story. As for the RED HOT DUCKS, they are probably going to end up playing the Predators in the first round of the playoffs, and frankly, that is a better match up for them than the Flames anyways, because we can neutralize the Preds speed AND beat them physically. Unfortunately that means a second round match up against Detroit, which will be tough, but we all know what happened the last time the Ducks and the Red Wings met in the playoffs. BREAK OUT THE BROOMS BABY!!!!!!! As far as predictions go, I predict the Ducks over Nashville 4-2. then they beat Detroit 4-1, then Dallas 4-3, then they beat Ottawa in the Finals 4-3 with a vindication win in game 7. That is the most likely scenario as I see it in the playoffs this year. If anyone wants to enter into a small wagering situation as we near the playoffs let me know.

I'll be more than happy to bet that you're wrong.

I concur

????? Are you saying that he's no longer at the peak of his game? I'll agree with that. Overrated historically? No way.

[Drac 0]

How are they in shambles?They are in a rebuilding phase. It happens to every pro sports team. They have a TON of incredible young talent developping, or on the way.The only issue with them is their new arena.- Zach

The Pens know how to go about rebuilding the right way...stink up the joint, get high draft picks and put together a good team.On the other hand, the Wild are idiots as they continue to win enough games to miss out on the true elite players yet not be a contender. While they are building and not rebuilding the Wild is an example of how not to put a good team together on the ice. They are a great example of how to bilk their fans out of tons of money.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

You sir, are an idiot. Maybe you failed to notice the playoff shutout he had going. And assuming the ducks played terrible, somehow, they still managed to get your beloved NJ Devils to game 7. Yes obviously any team that makes it to the stanley cup finals is terrible simply because a moron like you dislikes them (and by yes, I mean no).You're right, Brodeur is an incredible goalie, no doubt. However, my post simply stated that Giguere will be the most hungry in the playoff race. Next time you attempt to say something, why don't you try pulling your head out of your a*ss. That way, I won't have to read a bunch of sh*it

When this hockey forum first started we all had an agreement to not engage in over the top flaming. Rinswun seems like a cool guy, and he has always stuck to this agreement. Your post seems a little uncalled for.Gigeure and the Ducks had an awesome run, no one is denying that. I am as big of a Kariya fan as there is (he grew up about 10 minutes away from where I live). There team was good that year, even though the Wild series stank.

[Bubba83 0]

Sharks are in great position to get in the playoffs, they are playing very well and I hope they do it, GO SHARKS! Partick Marleau is my hero.